Hillsong’s popular “Desert Song” is one of my favorite songs. As I was listening to it the other day, the line “I will bring praise” got stuck in my head and has been racing through my mind ever since.
A profound truth is communicated in those four words, a truth illustrated countless times throughout the pages of Scripture. Let me give two examples:
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21).
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Do you see the theme? These verses demonstrate the principle that praising God is a choice. They also communicate that God is worthy of our worship regardless of our circumstances.
While circumstances should be acknowledged, they should not be allowed to control us. I don’t believe it’s necessary to praise God for every situation, but I do believe we are to praise Him in every situation, believing that He is constantly working Christ-likeness into those who love Him (Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:28-29).
Even though we don’t see the full picture, we can take comfort in the reality that we serve a God who does everything well (Mark 7:37).
The choice is yours. In the midst of your circumstances, will you praise Him today?
Written by: Abbey Le Roy, MA in Theological Studies from CIU's Seminary and School of Ministry
"Give us the day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
